Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Equipment Reviews
Anyone Know Of A Good Compass To Mount On The Bike Anyone Know Of A Good Compass To Mount On The Bike
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipment Reviews Post YOUR REVIEWS of ANY Motorcycle, Camping or Travel Equipment and accessories. Tell us what worked and didn't work for you!
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 13 Feb 2010
stuxtttr's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Lutterworth,Midlands, UK
Posts: 574
Anyone Know Of A Good Compass To Mount On The Bike
I am looking to mount a compass to my Bike, just as a general direction finder.

I have found a Silva 58 Compass for about £30 that would seem to do the job.

But maybe someone has found a better cheaper option.

Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 13 Feb 2010
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Andrews
Posts: 662
Quote:
Originally Posted by stuxtttr View Post
I am looking to mount a compass to my Bike, just as a general direction finder.

I have found a Silva 58 Compass for about £30 that would seem to do the job.

But maybe someone has found a better cheaper option.

Thanks

I use a cheap compass that I bought in a shiny bits for cars shop and stuck it on my little instrument panel, it cost me under a fiver. I was a professional aviator for 30 yrs and am well aware of the changes in magnetic variation and metal and electrical influence but I have found that when my GPS cannot get a signal, cities, forests and canyons for example and I can't see the sky my little compass is accurate enough and its now done well over 100,000 miles travelling round the world. Ride safe.
__________________
Mike
---------
Mike is riding the twisty road in the sky
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 13 Feb 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: leicestershire
Posts: 47
cheap compass
HI iv just bought a compass off flea bay for a couple of quid to mount on my bike , metal cased with a closing top its not arrived yet so cant say how good but there are loads on there to choose from for a lot less than £30 happy hunting Rob
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 13 Feb 2010
palace15's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LONDONISTAN, England
Posts: 1,034
You could try one of these........cheap!

Conrad Electronic - Europe`s leading electronics and technology online specialist[1]=uk_insert&cookie_v[1]=89&cookie_d[1]=&cookie_p[1]=%2f&cookie_e[1]=Wed%2c+17-Mar-2010+20%3a07%3a30+GMT&scrwidth=1280
__________________
'He who laughs last, was too slow to get the joke'
Never confuse the map with the journey.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 17 Feb 2010
Selous's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: England
Posts: 437
Quote:
Originally Posted by maja View Post
I use a cheap compass that I bought in a shiny bits for cars shop and stuck it on my little instrument panel, it cost me under a fiver. I was a professional aviator for 30 yrs and am well aware of the changes in magnetic variation and metal and electrical influence but I have found that when my GPS cannot get a signal, cities, forests and canyons for example and I can't see the sky my little compass is accurate enough and its now done well over 100,000 miles travelling round the world. Ride safe.
As ex Servaceman i have done lots of map reading using a compass on & off vechals. make sure it is 1 off them filled with liquid as this reduses magnetic variation and metal and electrical influence would sugest you practice a bit of good old mk 1 paper map reading as a just in case
__________________
We are the Pilgrims, Master, we shall go Always a little further: it may be beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow, Across that angry or that glimmering sea.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 17 Feb 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 236
Diving compass?? Liquid filled, has a strap to secure to bike/wrist, waterproof?
Can be expensive though.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 25 Feb 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: On the road ...
Posts: 262
Well, you're obviously not going to shoot bearings with a bike mounted compass, nor use it as your sole navigation instrument. As mentioned, it's most useful when your GPS doesn't have a signal, you can't see the sun, etc and so long as it's accurate within +/-7deg to give you a rough sense of direction, it should do its job. And with that requirement pretty much anything will do. I have one of those ultra cheapo zipper pull compasses in my tank bag (could be glued/strapped to the bike too), like this one: Amazon.com: Rothco Zipper Pull Compass: Clothing, but with a red north marker and worth about $2.

It fully serves it's purpose. Maybe you might want something bigger that's easier to read, but the quality suffices. If I want more than a rough direction, I still have a GPS (well not at the moment as its busted), and a quality compass somewhere in the panniers.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 28 Mar 2010
stuxtttr's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Lutterworth,Midlands, UK
Posts: 574
I ended up finding a bicycle bell with a liquid filled compass on top for £2 in ASDA after fitting it to the bike I can confirm it works fine at low speed (it spins when going faster) and the extra bonus I know have a bicycle bell to warn pedestrians of my approach without having to resort to the horn for slow speed off road work. result cheers for all the replies
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Digital compass for bike GeoffK Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 4 27 Nov 2009 19:50
Good metal bracket ideas wanted to mount 'Andy Strapz' bags MikeS Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 4 10 Apr 2008 09:07
I'm looking for a good compass cyber3d Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 6 11 May 2006 18:17
Compass for bike karter257 Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 27 18 Feb 2003 14:56
Which bike to mount on a truck ? Scotty Which Bike? 3 20 Dec 2001 02:51

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:26.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top